
By AIDAN JENSEN
I think we can all agree the ending to Game 6 of the Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers was disappointing.
If you’ve watched the Canes in recent years, though, it also wasn’t surprising.
Carolina carried a 3-1 lead into the third period, just 20 minutes away from forcing a Game 7, only for Chris Krieder to score a hat trick and advance New York to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Had the Canes won, they would’ve overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
On Sunday, May 19, Carolina committed to the best head coach it’s ever had in franchise history, signing Rod Brind’Amour to a multi-year extension. The Canes have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the six years since Brind’Amour took over, including the 2018-2019 campaign that snapped a decade-long playoff drought, plus a pair of ECF appearances.
There was some debate – after the Canes-Rangers series – if Brind’Amour was the reason Carolina kept falling short of the Stanley Cup Finals. His extension answered that question crystal-clear – no.
Longtime Canes general manager Don Waddell, who helped draft current stars Sebastian Aho, tmakes you wonder if Carolina owner Tom Dundon met behind closed doors after the Rangers series.
One of Waddell’s jobs, as the former Canes GM, was to boost the roster with free agent signings and trades. Waddell did a great job in the offseason and at the trade deadline this year, grabbing Jake Guentzel, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Michael Bunting, but that was his most active stretch as GM.
There’s concern that the Canes’ championship window is closing, but they have a lot of young talent. Eric Tulsky, Carolina’s longtime assistant GM, is taking over the GM post until a full-timer is found.
Can the Canes’ next GM be aggressive and make the sacrifices needed to help bring a second Stanley Cup to Raleigh, like signing an elite goaltender?

Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 3 days agoWinning The Division – Ep 25 – Weds Feb 6th 2025
Co-Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe preview Superbowl 59 in New Orleans, they discuss...
By Ryan Smith -
Podcast
/ 3 days agoThe Cat Cave – Ep 69 – Thurs Feb 6th 2025
Ryan Frick and Shannon Smith discuss the recent comments where former Panthers’ quarterback Cam...
-
Podcast
/ 4 days agoBleav in Panthers – The One With The Super Bowl LIX Predictions – Tues Feb 4th 2025
Hosted by Jonathan Stewart and Desmond Johnson. Its Super Bowl week! The Chiefs attempt...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoThe Desmond Johnson Show – Fri Jan 31st 2025
Hosted by Desmond Johnson Presented by Emergency Responders Credit Union – Winston Salem
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days ago2025 North Carolina Football Win Totals: Odds released for Bill Belichick’s first season
Published by On3 Going into the 2025 college football season, there are very few...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoFSU officially adds 3 more signees to 2025 recruiting class
Published by On3 Florida State Sports Information release: Florida State added three signees to...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoA breakdown of NC State’s 2025 football schedule
Published by On3 By Noah Fleischman While NC State men’s basketball was battling it...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoNorth Carolina converting Kenan Stadium to natural grass under Bill Belichick
Published by On3 It hasn’t taken long for Bill Belichick to make his mark...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 1 month agoWinning The Division – Ep 21 – Weds Jan 8th 2025
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe recap week 18 of the NFL season,...
By Ryan Smith -
NFL
/ 1 month agoBleav in Panthers – The One With The End – Tues Jan 7th 2025
Hosted by Desmond Johnson and Jonathan Stewart The guys review the Panthers 44-38 overtime...
-
NFL
/ 1 month agoTop Offensive Draft Prospects for Carolina Panthers In 2025 NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers are getting ready for the 2025 NFL Draft, after finishing the...
-
NFL
/ 1 month agoJadeveon Clowney trolls Atlanta Falcons fans after Week 18 win: ‘See y’all in Cabo’
Published by On3 It’s the end of the regular season in the NFL and...